Long-Time Supporter of Animal Cancer Research Receives Honorary Degree from Colorado State

Note to Editors: A link to a print-quality photograph of Hadley Stuart is available at www.newsinfo.colostate.edu by clicking on the headline for this release.

Colorado State University President Larry Edward Penley will present E. Hadley Stuart Jr. with an honorary degree on Dec. 14 at the university’s graduate school commencement. Hadley will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa.

Stuart’s support has been instrumental in building and directing the university’s internationally renowned Animal Cancer Center. As a donor with a far-reaching vision, Stuart first supported animal cancer research at Colorado State in 1983. In the past 24 years, he has been a leading donor to the program with contributions of more than $9 million to support research that benefits both animals and humans.

Stuart was one of the largest donors to support the construction of the Animal Cancer Center, an addition to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital that was completed in 2002 as part of a new cancer research wing. In addition, his contributions have endowed the Stuart Chair in Oncology, established in 1991, which is currently held by Dr. Steve Withrow, director of the Animal Cancer Center. The Animal Cancer Center is part of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

"Hadley’s continued support has sustained the growth of the Animal Cancer Center," Withrow said. "He is committed to helping in the cancer cause not just for the Animal Cancer Center. He also has made significant contributions to other organizations related to the fight against cancer and support of those fighting the disease, including the Sky High Hope Camp, a camp for children fighting cancer. This year, Hadley has again led the way with a $4 million pledge to match other contributions to build Kari’s Fund, an operating endowment for the Animal Cancer Center."  

Stuart and his late wife, Marion, established the Stuart Foundations, a California-based granting agency devoted to supporting issues related to child abuse, foster care, teenage pregnancy, school failure, prenatal care and other children and youth-oriented needs. They also established the Hadley and Marion Stuart Foundation, based in Longmont, in support of animal causes and cancer.

Hadley attended the Cheshire Academy, formerly known as Roxbury Academy, the University of Virginia and Harvard Business School. He is a former vice president of the Carnation Company and has been a cattle rancher since 1961. His has been recognized with numerous other awards from Cheshire Academy, Idaho State University, Boy Scouts of America and Days End Farm Horse Rescue. Additional recognitions include the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Award in 1998 for contributions to wildlife habitat, the Heritage Sponsor Award from Ducks Unlimited for conservation programs in North America, and recognition from the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office for donating funds for a drug enforcement dog.

"Mr. Stuart did not just give money, he built a program of excellence that includes teaching, clinical service and outreach to the public and the profession," Withrow said. "Words cannot describe the impact that Hadley has had on Colorado State University and the Animal Cancer Center."

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